4.
Magnitude of Problem♦ Globally, is about 30 %♦ In developing countries & India, incidence is around 40 – 90%.♦ Responsible for 40% of maternal deaths in third world countries.♦ Important cause of direct and indirect maternal deaths

9.
Available studies on prevalence of nutritionalanemia in India show that 65% infant andtoddlers, 60% 1-6 years of age, 88% adolescentgirls (3.3% has hemoglobin <7 gm./dl; severeanemia) and 85% pregnant women (9.9%having severe anemia. The prevalence ofanemia was marginally higher in lactatingwomen as compared to pregnancy. Thecommonest is iron deficiency anemia.

10.
launched in 1970to prevent nutritional anemia in mothers andchildren.1 tablet of iron and folic acid daily for a period of100 days.taken up by Maternal and Child Health (MCH),Division of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Now it is part of RCH programme.

11.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revised theguidelines on IFA supplementation related to the NationalNutritional anaemia Prophylaxis programme.The infants between 6-12 months should also be included inthe programme as there is sufficient evidence that irondeficiency affects this age also.Children between 6 months to 60 months should be given20mg elemental iron and 100 mcg folic acid per day per childas this regimen is considered safe and effective.National IMNCI guidelines for this supplementation to befollowed.

12.
For children (6-60 months), ferrous sulphate and folic acid should beprovided in a liquid formulation containing 20 mg elemental iron and100mcg folic acid per ml of the liquid formulation. For safety reason,the liquid formulation should be dispensed in bottles so designed thatonly 1 ml cab be dispensed each time.The current programme recommendations for pregnant and lactatingwomen should be continued.

13.
School children, 6-10 year old, and adolescents, 11-18 year olds,should also be included in the National Nutritional AnaemiaProphylaxis Programme (NNAPP).Children 6-10 year old will be provided 30 mg elemental iron and250 mcg folic acid per child per day for 100 days in a year.Adolescents, 11-18 years will be supplemented at the same doses andduration as adults. The adolescent girls will be given priority.Multiple channels and strategies are required to address the problemof iron deficiency anaemia. The newer products such as doublefortified salts / sprinkles/ ultra rice and other micro nutrientcandidates or fortified candidates should be explored as an adjunct oralternate supplementation strategy.